Miami Quarterly

If bad news travels faster than good news, then completely made-up news travels faster than a freshman running after a missed Miami Metro bus.

People love juicy gossip. Miami students are no exception. With all the rumors flying around, it’s hard not to wonder how many are true and how many are utterly false. MQ went straight to the source to investigate the validity behind some of Miami’s favorite urban legends (spoiler alert: the following are all false). Womp womp.

Rumor #1: Miami has heated sidewalks.

True and False. Students walking to class in the frigid winter tell you that some ungodly force is melting the snow on the sidewalks. However, Peggy Beckett, coordinator for Miami's Operations Center, clarifies that the heat felt in some areas is caused by the steam tunnels that run underneath the sidewalks. The tunnels run to the steam plant and just happen to offer the extra benefit of warm walkways.

Rumor #2: If 10 percent or more of the student body is sick, all classes will be canceled.

False. Dean of Students Susan Mosley-Howard has a hard time containing her laughter at this statement. “No, no. That’s not true,” she says between chuckles. She does verify that there is a medical emergency committee that informs President David Hodge of the medical condition of the campus. It is then his

responsibility to determine the proper action.

Rumor #3: Miami staff sprays protein on the salad.

False. “I’ve heard the rumor,” says Jon Brubacher, manager of food purchasing. “I can tell you with 100 percent certainty that is not true.” Brubacher says the only elements used in preparation of the produce are to ensure their cleanliness and there are absolutely no additives.

Rumor #4: If your professor does not show up within 15 minutes of the time class is scheduled to start, you may leave with no penalty.

False. While this is one of the most circulated rumors because it seems logical, it is somehow not true. “There’s nothing that I can find that would substantiate that rumor,” Mosley-Howard says. She refers to the Miami University Policy and Information Manual, which only says that instructors should receive prior authorization for an absence and attendance policies are set by the professors. Mosley adds that it may have been a policy in the past, but is definitely no longer in effect.

Rumor #5: If you get hit by a Miami Metro bus, Miami will pay your tuition.

False. Unfortunately, stepping out in front of the Blue bus probably won’t get the bursar’s office off your back. Perry Gordon, director of parking and transportation services, has surprisingly never even heard this theory. “That’s news to me,” he says. “There is no truth to the rumor that I’m aware of.” Since the bus service is not a university company, Gordon believes it would be an issue for the respective insurance companies.

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